🏰 Tower of London
Fortress, palace, and prison on the River Thames since 1066.
📌 Fast Facts
- Founded: 1066 by William the Conqueror
- Primary structure: White Tower, Norman keep in pale Kentish stone
- Towers and walls: 21 towers within defensive fortifications
- UNESCO inscription: 1988
The Tower of London is a fortress complex in central London that has served as a royal residence, prison, and repository of state regalia for nearly a thousand years. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 on the north bank of the River Thames, it stands as one of Britain's most historically layered monuments. The Tower of London was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. As of 2026, it remains fully operational as a museum and ceremonial guardhouse, welcoming approximately three ...